The captains of two EPL teams are in the spotlight for their choices as the competition celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusion in its ongoing campaign.
teams are in the spotlight for their choices as the competition celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity. Rainbow-colored captain armbands were issued to the 20 clubs for matches last weekend and the upcoming midweek round.
Ipswich's Sam Morsy has been the only captain in action who didn't wear the rainbow armband, in games against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Crystal Palace on Tuesday. Ipswich said after the Forest game that Morsy made the decision “due to his religious beliefs.”Ipswich said it “respect the decision” of Morsy but is “committed to being a fully inclusive club." “We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch," Ipswich said.Palace captain Marc Guehi wore a rainbow armband bearing the words “I love Jesus” on it during the match against Newcastle on Saturday. A heart was used instead of the word “love.”The England defender, who is a devout Christian, and Palace were contacted by the Football Association reminding them that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, soccer boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4 of the governing body’s regulations, Britain's PA news agency reported Tuesday. For the game against Ipswich, Guehi's message on the rainbow armband read, “Jesus loves you” — again using a heart sign. It raises the prospect of the player being sanctioned by the FA. The league's Rainbow Laces campaign, introduced in 2013, is in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and includes a range of activities to “highlight community and education initiatives designed to encourage discussion and promote allyship with LGBTQ+ communities,” the competition said. Rainbow Laces branding is widely visible within stadiums on things like corner flags and ball plinths. It is not mandatory for captains to wear the rainbow armband and it is deemed a personal choice. Last season, Anel Ahmedhodzic, the then-Sheffield United captain, wore a standard armband instead of the rainbow version. In France, Nantes fined striker Mostafa Mohamed for refusing to play against Toulouse last year on the weekend teams wore rainbow-colored numbers on their jerseys to support the fight against homophobia. In May, Monaco midfielder Mohamed Camara was given a four-game suspension by the league for covering up an anti-homophobia message on the team’s shirt during the club’s final league game of the season.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arsenal and Man United Must Take Notice of Swedish Star After UCL Hat-trickViktor Gyokeres scored a Champions League hat-trick vs. Manchester City as Premier League links intensify.
Read more »
Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs. Brighton: Premier LeagueManchester City will be without Jack Grealish, Rúben Dias and John Stones when it faces Brighton on Nov. 8.
Read more »
Ohio educators, parents and religious leaders testify against religious release time billOpponents argued religious release time programs disrupt the school day, create a divide between students who participate and those that don’t, and interfere with religious freedom.
Read more »
Chelsea vs Aston Villa: Confirmed team news for Premier League clashThe team news is in from Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Read more »
Liverpool Dominates Man City to Move Nine Points Clear Atop Premier LeagueThe Reds were emphatically the better team at Anfield against the defending champions thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.
Read more »
Religious beliefs put two captains in spotlight during Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaignThe captains of two Premier League teams are in the spotlight for their choices as the competition celebrates LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity. Rainbow-colored captain’s armbands were issued to the 20 clubs in the league ahead of matches last weekend and the upcoming midweek round.
Read more »